Gowanus canal Sponge Park™ Masterplan | dlandstudio

Gowanus has a rich history. Originally a large marshy wetland the area was the site of early Dutch settlement, important Revolutionary War battles, and industry that includes the energy and construction sectors. Planners envision the area as a new site for large residential development, a controversial proposal in the face of climate change projections. In this context, working closely with local community organizations, government agencies, and elected officials, dlandstudio initiated and designed a new kind of public open space, a Sponge Park™. Through an unconventional, unprecedented process, dlandstudio raised all of the design and construction funding for the project from the New York State Council on the Arts, United States Congress, New York City Council, the New England Water Pollution Control Commission, the State Department of Environmental Conservation (Environmental Justice Grant), and the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation. The Sponge Park™ design equally values the aesthetic, programmatic, and productive importance of treating contaminated water flowing into the Gowanus Canal, an EPA Superfund site. Working closely with local community organizations, government agencies and elected officials, dlandstudio initiated and designed a new kind of public open space, a Sponge Park™. The design equally values the aesthetic, programmatic and productive importance of treating contaminated water flowing into the Gowanus, an EPA superfund site. The park is designed as a working landscape that improves the environment of the canal over time. This innovative plan proposes strategies to divert excess storm water runoff for use in the public park along the canal reducing the input of rain water into the sewer system. The plants included in our design draw heavy metals and biological toxins out of contaminated water. Proposed floating remediation wetlands incorporate a mixture of aquatic organisms that absorb or break down organic toxins, heavy metals and biological contaminants from sewage. Gowanus Canal Pilot Street-end Sponge Park™ will address harmful environmental exposure to the community by directly reducing the source of the current contamination, the storm runoff entering CSOs and direct runoff draining into Gowanus Canal through the Pilot Sponge Park™ system. Once implemented, the stormwater management system will manage approximately 75% of the runoff within the proposed catchment area on 2nd St. Improved water quality will decrease odor emanating from the contaminated water, sediment and visible effluent floatables on the canal. Added benefits with planted retention basins include increased pervious ground cover, promoting micro habitat, potential to reduce air pollution, creation of protected passive recreational space, and opportunities for public education regarding existing environmental harms and how they can be managed with passive remediation strategies.